Downtown Gifts & Crafts

Downtown Gifts & Crafts Wine Tasting Notes - Black Oak Wines

Chardonnay


The aromas include ripe tropical fruit & pleasant hints of vanilla and oak.
Enjoy with your favorite seafood dish.

Pinot Grigio


A clear & crisp wine that provides a refreshing burst of ripe citrus & mineral aromas.
A perfect summertime sipper.

Sauvignon Blanc


This wine SCREAMS Summer! It has a light golden color accentuated by the crips taste of appricots.
Try this wine with seafood or on its own while enjoying the sunset.

Merlot


This medium finish wine features plum, spice, cherry & earth characteristics.
Enjoy with a juicy steak or burger on the grill.

White Zinfandel


This White Zinfandel is packed full of sweet flavors.
Aromas of lavender & tangerine mingle with dried cranberry.

Cabernet Sauvignon


An earth forward Cabernet that features red pepper & a spicy note.
This wine has a medium finish & will complement your next barbeque.

Zinfandel


A great choice for a fun everyday wine!
It's excellent with peppered meats, baby back ribs or even a big juicy hamburger.

Brut Cuvee (Sparkling)


This sparkling wine is packed with flavors of green apple & melon.
Its bright fruit characteristics add depth & complexity.

 


Winemaker's Notes about Black Oak Wines


Wine Makers Notes about Black Oak Wines


Black Oak Merlot

Varietal %:    98% Merlot,
2% Syrah
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    46% of Blend
Alcohol:    13.95%

Winemakers Notes
This wine was harvested from two Central Valley locations near Santa Barbara, California. It was fermented in Stainless Steel tanks, then a large portion was transferred to barrels for aging. This is a very fruit–forward wine. In fact it is so fruity that it imparts sweetness that is not present. With a fine tannin structure, this wine is consistently smooth, all the way through to the finish. Overall, Black Oak Merlot is a very popular wine that “over-delivers” on taste.

Black Oak Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal %:    97% Cabernet Sauvignon,
3% Merlot
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    41% of Blend
Alcohol:    12.2%

Winemakers Notes
The grapes for the Black Oak Cabernet Sauvignon come mostly from the Lodi area of California.  Cabernet Sauvignon likes the sandy soils and hot summer temperatures.  This wine was fermented in Stainless Steel tanks, then a portion was barreled down for aging.   A very bright, yet subtle wine with easy, red berry fruit characteristics.  The tannins are mild, warm and pleasant.  This Black Oak Cabernet Sauvignon is one of our strongest sellers.


Black Oak Shiraz

Varietal %:    95% Shiraz,
5% Mourvedre
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    78% of Blend
Alcohol:    13.99%

Winemakers Notes
Shiraz grapes are usually the last grapes off the vine; in fact, they are left on the vine to full ripeness which usually shrivels the grapes. Black Oak Shiraz is aged mostly in American oak barrels, with the final blend enhanced with 5% Mourvedre. This wine has well balanced acidity. The flavors are dark and round, with hints of black pepper in the nose, and a lively fruit finish.

Black Oak Zinfandel

Varietal %:    96% Zinfandel,
4% Petit Sirah
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    100% of Blend
Alcohol:    14.42%

Winemakers Notes
The grapes for the Black Oak Zinfandel were picked late during the harvest of 2004. The wine is field-blended with a small percentage of Petit Sirah for strength, color and added complexity. It is fermented in Stainless Steel tanks, then transferred to American Oak barrels for aging. This is a fantastic representation of the Zinfandel grape with concentrated fruit flavors and some black pepper spice tones, ending with a long, rich finish. This wine is sure to make many new fans.


Black Oak Chardonnay

Varietal %:    98% Chardonnay,
2% Semillion
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    12% of Blend was Barrel Fermented
Alcohol:    13.45%

Winemakers Notes
The grapes for the Black Oak Chardonnay come from the Lodi area of California. Fermented mostly in Stainless Steel tanks, a 12% portion was fermented and aged in American oak barrels. We have added a touch of Semillion to enhance the aromas and develop more floral integration. The two wines work very well together.

Black Oak White Zinfandel

Varietal %:    80% Zinfandel,
20% Mixed floral Whites
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    100% of Blend was Stainless Steel Fermented
Alcohol:    13.00%

Winemakers Notes
The grapes for the Black Oak White Zinfandel are sourced all over the state of California, predominately from the Central Valley.  Fermented entirely in Stainless Steel tanks, the fermentation is stopped early to preserve the natural grape sugars that impart sweetness.  An easy-drinking wine, I like to call the ‘summer drink of choice’.  This wine has won multiple awards for its floral nose and fruity flavors. 


Black Oak Pinot Grigio

Varietal %:    87% Pinot Grigio, 13% Chardonnay
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    3% of Blend was Barrel Fermented
Alcohol:    13.4%

Winemakers Notes
The grapes for the Black Oak Pinot Grigio come from the Central Coast region (mainly Monterrey) of California.  These are usually the first grapes off the vine.  They have thin, gray skins that mature quickly.  Fermented mostly in Stainless Steel tanks, the Chardonnay portion was barrel aged.  I normally prefer adding a touch of Chardonnay to the Pinot Grigio rounding out the finish.  The two wines work very well together.  The resulting wine is fresh, crisp with a long lingering finish. 

Black Oak Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal %:    100% Sauvignon Blanc
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    100% of Blend was Stainless Steel Fermented
Alcohol:    13.6%

Winemakers Notes
The grapes for the Black Oak Sauvignon Blanc hail from the Central Coast of California, more specifically the Paso Robles area.  The grapes were fermented entirely in Stainless Steel tanks to preserve freshness and its crisp acidity.  This blend never fails to impress.  The floral components and the tropical fruit tones make this a perfect wine for entertaining on a hot day. 


Black Oak Riesling

Varietal %:    100% Riesling
Appellation:    100% California
Barrel Aged:    100% of Blend was Stainless Steel Fermented
Alcohol:    12.8%

Winemakers Notes
The grapes for the Black Oak Riesling come from the warmer Central Valley of California and were picked near the end of August 2005. Fermented in entirely in Stainless Steel tanks, the fermentation was stopped early to preserve the natural grape sugars to impart sweetness. A very light, floral and yet complex wine. A great wine for a hot day. A very popular selection among Black Oak wine drinkers.

Black Oak Brut Cuveé

Varietal %:    100% Chardonnay
Appellation:    100% California
Fermentation:    Charmat Method
Alcohol:    13.45%

Winemakers Notes
The Black Oak Brut Cuvée sources its grapes from the cooler growing regions of Coastal California. Picked early to preserve acidity the wine is fermented to dryness.  The wine is then put through a secondary fermentation using the Charmat process. (Re-fermented entirely in tanks, under constant pressure). The Chateau Diana Sparkling wine has a nice round flavor.  Not completely dry, its sweetness is portrayed nicely against its well-balanced acidity.  With flavors of green apple and melon, its bright fruit characteristics add depth and complexity. A very popular selection for serving mimosas or equally refreshing all by itself.

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